Students enrolled and attending school in the school district, who meet USDA eligibility guidelines and have a parent/guardian complete an application annually, will be provided the school nutrition program services at no cost or at a reduced cost. The school district shall make reasonable efforts to prevent the overt identification of students who are eligible and are receiving free and reduced price meals.
The district shall at least twice annually notify all families of the availability, eligibility criteria, and application procedures for free or reduced price meals in accordance with state and federal law.
It is the responsibility of the Food Service Director to determine the eligibility of students for free or reduced price school nutrition programs, in accordance with criteria established by state and federal law. If school personnel have knowledge of a student who is in need of free or reduced-price meals, school personnel shall contact the Food Service Director.
If a student meal account falls to $-15.00 or more the Food Service Director or designee may contact the student’s parent or guardian to provide information regarding the application for free or reduced price meals. The school will provide reimbursable meals to students who request reimbursable meals.
Employees must maintain a positive balance in their meal account to be allowed to receive a school meal. Should their account fall negative, no meals are allowed to be charged. Once the account is brought to a positive standing with additional funds to cover future purchases, they will be allowed to access the meal program again.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for implementing this policy.
This is a mandatory policy.
NOTE: There are three places in the policy where the board must identify the positions that will be responsible for determining free or reduced cost meal eligibility for the school nutrition programs. The board should ensure that the positions identified are authorized by applicable law to process information as designated in the National School Lunch program annual application.
Legal Reference:
42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq.
7 C.F.R. §§ 210 et seq.
Iowa Code § 283A
281 I.A.C. 58.
Cross Reference:
710.01 School Nutrition Program
710.01R1 School Food Program - School Nutrition Program Civil Rights Complaints Procedure
710.01E1 School Food Program - School Nutrition Program Notices of Nondiscrimination
710.01E2 School Food Program - Child Nutrition Programs Civil Rights Complaint Form
710.03 Vending Machines
710.04 Meal Charge Policy
Approved: 12/10/1990 Reviewed: 04/10/2025 Revised: 04/10/2025